What Are Wattle Screens?

Sources

• Wattle screens are made of willow, hazel and Australian wattle. The wattle plant originated in Australia and contains more than 600 species. Taller, thicker varieties are harvested for wattle screens. Hazel grows in the woodland areas of southwest England, according to Allotment Forestry. Once the hazel shrub grows tall enough for use in wattle screens, the rods are cut and the roots are left to continue growing. Willow is harvested the same way. After it is cut down, the rods grow and can be cut down every few years.

Making Wattle Screens

• Wattle screens are made by building a frame out of larger rods or wooden pieces and lining the smaller rods -- from willow, hazel or wattle -- against the frame, usually with 1 inch to 3 inches of space between each rod. Some designers place the rods in an interlaying pattern. The most common way of constructing a wattle screen is by nailing droppers into the frame, according to Wattle Wood Farm, a manufacturer of wattle screens. This creates a stable screen and is considered better than tying the rods to the frame with rope or wire because the construction will be loose.

Uses

• Wattle screens are used inside and outside to create a rustic look for a home or yard. The screens can be made in any desired size. Wattle screens often are used to protect garden plants from excessive wind, rain and sunlight. Wattle screens also are made into fences, bridges, roofs and decorative wall hangings. Spaces between the rods let air and light pass through, but the screen generally is sturdy enough to keep out animals and people.

Building/Maintenance Concerns

• Longer wattle screens used for fences require more stakes in the middle of the screen to prevent it from collapsing because of wind. Wattle also is natural wood, meaning it can rot. Perform yearly inspections by checking the screen's connecting beams and edges. Once rotted, the screen could collapse. Replace any rotting wood with new material to prevent collapse. Apply a protective finish over the screen after it is built to help the screen last longer. When buying wattle wood, ask for the origin to determine its quality, according to Allotment Forestry. Contact the Forest Stewardship Council -- a nonprofit organization of forest conservation -- for information about certified wattle wood products.